August, 2009

Finishing school in Guadalajara -breadcrumb flowers and cooking

Finishing school in Guadalajara -breadcrumb flowers and cooking

    Prompted by my upcoming trip to Guadalajara where I’ll be revisiting old haunts and seeing my university mates,  I started thinking how I got to Guadalajara from El Paso, Texas in the first place. Having graduated in the... (Continue reading)

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Julia/Julie and Julia/Me and some sad goodbyes

Julia/Julie and Julia/Me and some sad goodbyes

Though I’d love to keep my story on Budd Schulberg up forever because I loved him so and want to honor him, it’s time to move on.  There’s much too much going on in the food world. You can still... (Continue reading)

Oaxaca Food Conference – El Saber del Sabor

Oaxaca Food Conference - El Saber del Sabor

When anyone asks me where they should go to experience the real Mexico, I do not hesitate one minute before suggesting Oaxaca. There you will find the quintessential Mexico, its heart and soul.  Beyond it’s spectacular setting, Oaxaca has everything... (Continue reading)

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The Best Thing I Ever Ate- Creamy Rice recipe

The Best Thing I Ever Ate- Creamy Rice recipe

Ever since I appeared on  the Food Network show The Best Thing I Ever Ate with my son, chef and Food Network star, Aaron Sanchez my website www.zarela.com has gone through the roof with viewers  signing  up for updates, writing... (Continue reading)

Chef of the Day on Cookstr

I will be featured as chef of the day on Cookstr.com.  Please check in. Best, Z... (Continue reading)

Introducing Pedro de Aguinaga

 Introducing Pedro de Aguinaga

It saddened me deeply when Pedro Luis de Aguinaga, my close, close friend retired from the newspaper world and returned back home to live in Nayarit.  Pedro is a wonderful writer with a very distinct voice and particular view of... (Continue reading)

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My first Oaxacan Cooking Teacher: Concepcion Portillo de Carballido

 My first Oaxacan Cooking Teacher: Concepcion Portillo de Carballido

    Photo Mercado Juarez, Oaxaca by Laurie Smith,   www.lauriesmithphoto.com The first thing I do when I get to a new place is go to a bookstore and get all the local cookbooks. The main bookstore in Oaxaca had... (Continue reading)

Budd Schulberg:” What’s for dessert?

Budd Schulberg:

and... (Continue reading)

The 10 best tacos in Mexico City

In my endless quest of eateries to recommend in Mexico City, I asked Raul Zorrilla, the Director of the Mexican Cultural Institute to give me his list. He opted to give me his 10 favorite tacos and his mouth literally... (Continue reading)

Mexico City: Its soul and essence with Ruth Alegria

Mexico City: Its soul and essence with  Ruth Alegria

The good thing about going to a place where you know people who’ve made their home there for years  is that you get to experience life as they live it and not as a tourist.  The bad thing is that you... (Continue reading)

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